Aeromexico courts auto industry with new Detroit route

An Aeromexico Embraer E190 is seen from New York JFK Airport in January 2016.(Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special to USA TODAY)

Aeromexico will add non-stop service between Detroit and Leon, Mexico, starting this spring.

The route begins April 30, with Aeromexico flying one daily round-trip flight on 99-seat Embraer E190 jets. The seating configuration includes 11 "Clase Premier" business-class seats and 88 in economy.

Aeromexico said the route would link two cities that have complimentary industries. Detroit, of course, is known as the center of the automobile industry in the United States. Aeromexico described Leon as a Mexican industrial center known for “strong automotive, leather and footwear, agroindustry, tourism, and pharmaceutical sectors.”

The economy class cabin of Delta's new Airbus A321 is seen during the company's media day at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on April 29, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Lunch is served to members of the media during a tour of its new Airbus A321 aircraft on April 29, 2016, at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Delta Air Lines' first Airbus A321 narrow-body airplane rests outside a company hanagar at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on April 29, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Reporters and bloggers explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for at least 75 of the jet earlier in the week.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Members of the media explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Luggage bins hang down in Bombardier's CSeries jet during a tour in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

A reporter examines Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order the jet earlier in the week.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

Members of the media explore Bombardier's CSeries jet during Delta's media day in Atlanta on April 29, 2016. The jet was visiting the carrier's hub following an order for the jet earlier in the week.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

A unique set of stairs offers access to the top of the giant GE-90 engine, one of the largest in the world, on a Delta Air Lines' Boeing 777-200LR at Delta's TechOps facility in Atlanta on April 29, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

The first Boeing 747-400 ever owned by Delta Air Lines is towed across a road to its new home at the Delta Museum adjacent to the Atlanta airport on April 30, 2016.
Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Special for USA TODAY

"We are sure that this flight will have a positive impact, especially in the automotive sector, since both Leon and Detroit are important drivers of this industry,” Anko van der Werff, Aeromexico's Chief Revenue Officer, said in a statement issued in conjunction with Delta, Aeromexico’s U.S. partner.

"The strong auto ties between Detroit and interior Mexico have made it a priority for us to find new ways to make the journey easier," Wendy Sutton, Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate for the airport authority, added in the statement. "Aeromexico's new route to Leon, Mexico, accomplishes that goal and will benefit our auto suppliers and manufacturers."

Travelers heading to or from Leon will be able to make connections to dozens of Delta destinations via Detroit, which is a hub for Delta.

The airport serving Leon is officially named the Guanajuato International Airport (airport code BJX). From Detroit, Aeromexico also offers service to Mexico City and Monterrey (seasonal).